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Belize is a small Central American nation with a rich history and culture. With these 75 intriguing facts about Belize, research how the country has transitioned over the years; and learn about history, its culture, traditions, people, market, wildlife and much more.
Facts about Belizian culture and conventions

1. Believe it or not, but the nation’s most prized culinary food is Gibnut, a rodent called. Incidentally, it called the “royal rat” because it was served to Queen Elizabeth.

2. Belizeans are high-minded folks. The country recently passed a legislation decriminalising marijuana possession of up to 10 Gs.

3. Belize is also called the “Jewel in the heart of the Caribbean basin”.

4. The state also has some weird folklore characters. One of them, El Sisimito is a dwarf with a thumbnail complex. He has no thumb, and everyone else is cut off by him ’s. He’s also notorious for his iconic red hat and silver guitar. Yes, the goblin with a guitar and a thumb cutting fetish!

5. The canopy of the woods has inspired the national motto of Belize which is “Under the Shade I Flourish”. It can be located everywhere and everything which is official.

6. Thumb locking is an indicator of greeting in Belize.

7. Belizeans are laid back individuals with a go-slow approach. Most of the state socialize a lot and live in small towns and villages.

8. More than 90% of the people of Belize can read and most can talk in three languages: English, Spanish, and Creole.

9. The national flower of Belize is the black orchid, a real black beauty indeed.

10. Belize food has no differentiation and spoils you with assortment and surprises. The culinary traditions are a mixture of various cultures like French, Spanish, American, Caribbean, Mexican, etc.

12. This is considered rude in the nation.
Intriguing historical facts about Belize

13. Civil unrest was triggered by the launch of a brand new national budget in Belize with significant tax increases in 2005.

14. Remember the guys who erroneously called the world’s end, the Mayans? Well, Belize was a favored location for the Mayans.

15. The little Caribbean nation was an important source of lumber and a colony of the British Empire.

16. In fact, Belize got its current named just in 1973, when it gained independence from Britain. Before, it was known as British Honduras.

17. Ambergris Caye Island functioned as a hideaway for the boats attacking the Spanish fleet during the 17th century.

18. The foundation of the country was a love triangle between Belize- the UK and Guatemala. When Belize was declared by the UK as a country of 21 Guatemala broke off with Belize and the UK.

19. Guatemala, a nearby country, isn’t secure with Belize and always has it considered the entire territory of Belize as its “Department No. 23”.

20. Belize and Guatemala, both attempt to shame each other at international forums and also intend to hold referendums before the UN to validate their claims of the territory.

21. The present place of the state’s capital changed when Hurricane Hattie struck in 1961 on October 31st. Since then the capital was shifted 50 miles inland. At least 400 people were killed by the hurricane and demolished half of Belize City.

22. Belize is the conflation of several ethnic groups who came here at distinct points escaping prosecution, captivity, and war. Some are Garinagu, Mennonites, the Mestizo and Creole.

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24. On September 10 -the national day of Belize is celebrated. On this day in 1798, the English, among the colonizers of Belize, conquered and repelled another colonizer, the Spanish. Since that time, the Belizeans observe what the English themselves don’t.

25. San Pedro, the second largest town in Belize District was founded in 1848. It was after co-authored by American pop vocalist Madonna, which afterward became a tremendous hit in the music world.
Belize ’s market, tourism and natural draws

26. The country’s market is mainly determined by agriculture, agro-based industry, tourism, building and merchandising.

27. It’s the only state in Central America with no coastline on the North Pacific Ocean.

28. Belize has been losing woods at a speed of 10,000 hectares per year for the previous 30 years. The state to this day has lost woods region equal to the size of Rhode Island.

29. Belize has the 3rd highest per capita income in Central America.

30. Belize had a population increase rate of 1.87% per year in 2015, which is the second greatest in the region.

31. Belize is home to the second biggest barrier reef system in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is also referred to as Great Mayan Reef.

32. Belize is a favorite sunbaked heaven with some cool places to hang out. It’s the ONLY jaguar reserve on the planet, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

33. You have to know; the rest are boring political stuff.

34. The Belize Defense Force (BDF) has a combined troop strength of 1400 personnel, spread over its army, navy, and air force. That than the Mc. Donald workforce.

35. But thankfully, Belize has bigger guns protecting her. It’s still the head of the state, and a commonwealth nation of the British is the queen of Buckingham place, her Majesty. Mess with Belize, you mess with the queen.

36. Belize is also known as the “Jewel in the heart of the Caribbean basin.”

37. This is what inspired Her Majesty to set up a British colony here. Incredibly prized for its ultra- outstanding timber, the tree can grow up to 100 meters and live well over a century.
About Belize’s national animal, tallest man-made construction, toxic cashews, hurricanes, sharks, etc

38. It ’s known as tapir and looks like a giant Guiana pig, weighing over 500 pounds.

39. The greatest point of Belize is Doyle’s Delight, a tree covered mountain peak where many Jaguars lurk in the dark of the night.

40. The pyramid shaped El Castillo is the tallest man-made structure in Belize. A ghost referred to as “stone- woman”, who has fiery eyes and wears white clothing, is said to scale the stairs and mix with the temple wall.

41. The authorities protect more than 80% of the rainforests and are inaccessible.

42. Belize is filled with 450 cayes (pronounced keys), which are little islands. They’re the best technique for happiness.

43. In 2016, a Guatemalan minor was killed near the Belize border. This incident led to the deployment of 3000 additional troops by Guatemala on the Belize border.

44. The islands may have remained uninhabited for years, but each Caye has a watchman who is appointed by the authorities. This must be the mother of all pleasant occupations.

45. The woods here produce an incredible assortment of cashew trees. Some are deliciously edible while some are truly toxic.

46. The Great Blue Hole is the world’s largest sea sinkhole and a heaven for deep sea divers. It’s an enormous 407 feet deep and 984 feet across a depression in the center of the sea. It is also part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System.
Image credit – 2il org

47. Jacques Cousteau, in 1971, a French naval officer became the first to dive into this sinkhole. His actual testimonial led to a tourism mania, with scuba enthusiasts flocking to discover the hole.

48. Superstition fact: it’s bad luck to swim on Good Friday in Belize.

49. Cocoa is another exotic gift Mother Nature. You can get memorable tours into the entire chocolate-making process at the Toledo Cacao Fest.

50. Belize has the lowest population density in Central America, of just 15 persons per square kilometer.

Belize is well publicized for have the second longest barrier reef on the planet, along with three major offshore atolls. Along with those above, Belize have numerous mangrove systems both offshore and along the shore, so creating wetland surroundings that are huge.

With this kind of vital marine ecosystem, scuba divers and marine biologists have long understood the value of Belize, and it has grown into a favorite destination in their opinion.

Belize offers some of the finest and most diverse diving on the planet and has the additional advantages of clear, warm water and exceptional weather conditions.

Divers and snorkelers are virtually guaranteed to find school Jack, stingrays and the typical reef tropical fishes including parrot fish and angelfish, barracuda, groupers. Sharks and spot turtles may well be sighted also.

Gear and Instruction

Bring your Gear to Belize, or lease it at a dive shop. Lightweight lycra dive suits or nylon “skins” function well. 1/16 inch suits should be the thickest you should need. if you want more insulation.

Belize offers various degrees of dive classes contain find progress open water courses, refresher courses, open water and scuba programs.

If you have one, do not leave home without your dive certification card.

Protected Beaches

This implies that these regions and their inhabitants cannot be destroyed or damaged at all. Caution must be taken when on dives not to reach increase sedimentation or corals onto them.

Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve

Blue Hole National Park

Glover’s Reef

Half Moon Caye

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Laughing Bird Caye

Port Honduras

Sapodilla Caye

South Water Caye Marine Reserve

The Belize Barrier Reef

Visibility – Maximum visibility of 50 meters or 165 feet. In case of thunderstorms the visibility reduced to 20 to 30 meters or 65 to 100 feet

Tides – Not normally a variable for dives because the range is not significant at 1 to 11/2 feet except in extreme states of tropical storms.

Waves – Wave activity minimal inside the reef or on the open side of atolls.

Winds – Northeast wind can generate enormous swells which can make dive hard on open coasts in the north, but this is steady at 5 to 15 nautical miles.

Belize Zoo

One of the most famous attractions in Belize City is its zoo. The 29-acre site is home to over 120 species of animal, all native to the state with the tagline “the best small zoo in the world”. You’ll get to see pumas, macaws, snakes, jaguars, and crocodiles.

Hol Chan is probably the most famous marine reserve in the nation and is situated close to Ambergris Caye. The snorkeling and diving in the park are fantastic and includes coral caves and lots of fish tropical to keep you amused. Head with rays and sharks around feeding time.

Altun Ha

Head to the Mayan site of Altun Ha to experience its active ruins just 30 miles north of Belize City. The main appeal of the site is the Temple of the Masonry Altars, dating in the 7th Century. The Temple is 54 feet tall, and you are rewarded by a climb to the top with a panoramic view of the pyramids and plaza below. A 1/2 day tour includes a guide, entrance fee, transport, and drinks and prices around $50 USD.

Check out the wildlife

Much of Central America is a wildlife observer’s even, and this nation is no exception. The marine life and animals in Belize Zoo and show at Hol Chan are merely the tips of the iceberg. Birdwatchers will enjoy Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary among its world-class while those interested in fat cats flock to the state’s most famous protected place Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary for its jaguars, spotting opportunities.

Bacab Adventure & Eco Park

This nature preserve and theme park’s motto is “Something for Everyone”. On over 500 acres of jungle, you will discover hiking trails, a giant pool with a waterfall, a Butterfly House, Howler Monkeys, waterways, and crocodiles to keep the entire family occupied. Visitors can camp overnight for 10 BZD per man, and tents can be supplied.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich is among Maya sites that are readily reachable and Belize’s most impressive. Take the free ferry over the Mopan River and hike a mile uphill. Although strenuous, it’s well worth the sighting of butterflies and birds, and the 7th-century temples and plazas were expecting at the top. Entry fee is 10 BZD.

The Cayes

There are hundreds of smaller islands off the shore, many of them picture perfect and unsettled. Two of the most visited caves are Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Ambergris is the most expensive tourist destination in the state, popular with families on resort style holidays and the biggest of the Belizean Cayes. Nonetheless, its closeness to the barrier reef additionally draws in keen divers too. Caye Caulker, on the other hand, has a more relaxed atmosphere which makes it popular with backpackers and isn’t as touristy as Ambergris.

Caracol

Caracol is the biggest Mayan site and was once among the most influential cities in Mayan times; consequently the ruins here are impressive and vast. Unlike Altun Ha, the ruins in Caracol are less restored and are in a jungle setting, which adds to the initial feeling of the site. The site is full of reservoirs, stellar, walls, and tombs, with the greatest attraction being Canaa, the Sky Place, which is the largest building in the state.

One of the most exhilarating, if not spooky things to do is to tour the cave at Actun Tunichil Muknal. The cave is home to the graves of victims of sacrifices that are Mayan and after the trek and a brief hike, you’ll come face to face with their skeletons. The site continues to be a tour that was popular since then and was discovered in 1989. Anticipate to pay around $75 USD for an organized tour. It was one of my favorite personal ventures.

Explore the caves

Aside from Actun Tunichil Manual; other cave systems are also perfect for exploring. In ancient times, caves were considered the entry. As a result, many of the caves include relics from services and Mayan sacrifices.

The Barrier Reef

The barrier reef consists of an 186-mile long expanse of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System- the second-largest barrier reef on the planet. The coral and magnificent marine life make up the nation popular tourist attraction. Snorkelers and divers can appreciate the reef within one of the many islands in the marine park or take out a boat tour to the place itself. As a Wold Heritage Site, the Reef was designated in 1996.

It is likely that you’ll need certainly to arrive in Belize City at some point. The city is home to a quarter of the country’s population, and it’s a dump. Get in, to where you want to link, and move out.

Nature Walks

Whether you go early in the morning or in the middle of the night, going out through the jungle with a naturalist is an adventure that is awesome. While the nighttime is host to wildlife and new insects the morning is the best time to take a look at fowl.

Go fishing

There is a broad variety of fish off the shore and fishing is a popular, though pricey task.

St. John’s Cathedral

Built from red bricks which were brought aboard English sailing ships in the 1800s, this is an excellent bit of history.